Halloween Activities for Autistic Children: A Fun and Sensory-Friendly Guide
It’s the spookiest time of the year! Halloween is full of exciting sights and sounds—costumes, decorations, and of course, free candy. While many children eagerly anticipate the festivities, Halloween can feel overwhelming for some—especially for Autistic children or those with sensory sensitivities.
The good news? With a bit of preparation and creativity, Halloween can be an enjoyable and inclusive experience for every child.
In this guide, we’ll share some fun and sensory-friendly Halloween activities for Autistic children, plus tips to help make this season a success for the whole family.
Preparing Your Child for Halloween
Before diving into the fun, it can be helpful to prepare your child in advance. One great strategy is to read a Halloween-themed social story together. These stories explain what to expect—like costumes, decorations, and trick-or-treating—in a simple, reassuring way.
You might also consider doing a walkthrough of any unfamiliar environments beforehand, or practicing trick-or-treating at home.
8 Inclusive Halloween Activities for Autistic Children
Here are some engaging, low-pressure Halloween activities your child can enjoy at home, at school, or during a social group.
1. Halloween Guessing Game (Feel Box)
This sensory activity is both silly and spooky! Hide items inside tissue boxes or containers with a hand-sized hole. Children reach in and try to guess what’s inside—without peeking.
Some fun ideas include:
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Cooked spaghetti (witches’ hair)
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Peeled grapes (eyeballs)
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Popcorn kernels (monster teeth)
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Baby carrots (witches’ toes)
2. Spider Pick
Hide small plastic spiders in a bowl filled with dry rice, then let your child search for them using their hands. This simple but engaging sensory activity is perfect for developing tactile tolerance and focus.
3. Halloween Charades
Turn a classic game into a Halloween-themed activity! Children take turns acting out spooky characters like:
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Ghosts
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Skeletons
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Vampires
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Witches
Others then guess what they’re acting out. This is great for communication, imagination, and social turn-taking.
4. Pin the Spider on the Web
This one’s always a hit! Draw a spider web on black cardboard using chalk or white markers, then create a cardboard spider with double-sided tape.
Children are blindfolded and gently spun around before trying to “pin” the spider on the web. Whoever gets closest to the centre wins!
5. Pumpkin Decorating
Not every child enjoys carving pumpkins—so why not decorate the outside instead?
Gather craft supplies like:
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Feathers
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Sequins
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Beads
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Rice or pasta
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Sponge pieces
Your child can glue different textures to the pumpkin’s surface, creating a fun sensory decoration that’s all their own.
6. Witches’ Cauldron Sensory Play
Bring out a toy cauldron and let your child make their own magic potion! Offer different textures and ingredients such as:
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Dyed rice (maggots)
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Water beads (magic gems)
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Bone-shaped dog biscuits (skeleton bones)
This imaginative activity encourages exploration, storytelling, and sensory regulation.
7. Paper Plate Masks
Support fine motor development while having creative fun. All you need is:
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Paper plates
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Scissors and string
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Crayons, pens, or paints
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Stickers, glitter, or feathers
Cut out eye holes and let your child decorate their very own Halloween mask.
8. DIY Skeleton Puzzle
Print or draw a skeleton, glue it to thick cardboard, and cut it into puzzle pieces. Challenge your child to put it back together. This activity is great for problem-solving and motor planning—and you can adjust the difficulty based on your child’s skill level.
👉 For more at-home Halloween activity ideas, visit Peanut’s blog on Halloween activities for kids
Making Halloween Fun and Inclusive
Every child is different, and Halloween doesn’t have to follow a traditional path to be magical. Choose the activities that best suit your child’s interests and sensory needs, and don’t be afraid to keep it simple.
If trick-or-treating feels too overwhelming, consider setting up a treat hunt in your backyard, or organising a Halloween-themed playdate with a few familiar friends.
Join Our Social Skills Groups This Halloween Season
At Freedom Therapy Services, we offer Social Skills Classes for children aged 3–18 that focus on helping kids build communication, connection, and confidence—all through fun, play-based learning.
Our team includes experienced, supportive professionals who run creative classes including:
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Minecraft groups
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Art sessions
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Imaginative playgroups
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Holiday programs and more
These activities provide a safe, welcoming environment for children to practice social skills while having a blast.
Ready to Learn More?
If your child could benefit from structured social learning in a supportive and fun setting, we’re here to help.
👉 Contact us today to find out more about our services or holiday programs.
